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Finalists Announced For Jack Adams Award
by Paul on 04/30/08 at 08:05 PM ET
Comments (4)
NEW YORK (April 30, 2008)—Mike Babcock of the Detroit Red Wings, Bruce Boudreau of the Washington Capitals and Guy Carbonneau of the Montreal Canadiens are the three finalists for the Jack Adams Award, presented to the head coach who has “contributed the most to his team’s success,” the National Hockey League announced today.
Members of the NHL Broadcasters’ Association submitted ballots for the Jack Adams Award at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters announced as finalists. The winner will be announced Thursday, June 12 during the 2008 NHL Awards Television Special, which will be broadcast live throughout Canada on CBC and the United States on VERSUS from the historic Elgin Theatre in Toronto.
Following are the finalists for the Jack Adams Award, in alphabetical order:
Mike Babcock, Detroit Red Wings
Babcock posted his third consecutive 50-win season behind the Detroit bench as the Red Wings (54-21-7, 115 points) captured the Presidents’ Trophy for the NHL’s top regular-season record. The Red Wings set an NHL record for most first-half victories, posting a 30-8-3 mark through 41 games, and went on to surpass the 100-point mark for the eighth consecutive season—equaling Montreal’s record streak from 1974-75 through 1981-82. Detroit also won its seventh consecutive division title and qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the 17th consecutive season, the longest active streak among the major pro sports.
Bruce Boudreau, Washington Capitals
Boudreau brought more than 1,000 games of minor-league coaching experience to his first NHL assignment behind the bench and led the Capitals to one of the most dramatic turnarounds in League history. Named head coach Nov. 22 with the 6-14-1 Capitals at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, Boudreau led his club to a 37-17-7 mark the rest of the way—capped by seven consecutive victories to close the season—and captured the Southeast Division title in the season’s final game. He became the fastest Capitals coach to 20 victories (34 games) and 30 victories (53 games) in franchise history.
Guy Carbonneau, Montreal Canadiens
In his second NHL season behind the bench, Carbonneau guided the Canadiens (47-25-10, 104 points) to their first 45-win and 100-point season in 15 years, first division title in 17 years, first Eastern Conference title in 19 years and best road record (25-12-4) in 29 years. Led by Alex Kovalev’s 84-point season—an increase of 37 over 2006-07—the Canadiens were the NHL’s highest-scoring club in 2007-08 with 262 goals and boasted the League’s top-ranked power-play (90 for 372, 24.2%). Montreal went 25-9 following a loss and did not lose more than three consecutive games all season.
History
The award was presented by the NHL Broadcasters’ Association in 1974 in honor of the late Jack Adams, longtime coach and general manager of the Detroit Red Wings.
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Comments
I’m disappointed that Therrien was overlooked again, but all of the coaches are well deserving, and I think Bruce Boudreau should end up winning.
Posted by penguinsfan on 05/01/08 at 06:09 AM ET
The only guy who was overlooked was John Stevens. 44 point improvement over last year, and he has outcoached Beudreau and Carbonneau in the playoffs. Whoever voted on this is absolutely clueless.
Posted by penaltyshots.ca from http://www.penaltyshots.typepad.com/ on 05/01/08 at 10:21 AM ET
Beudreau wouldn’t have made the playoffs if carolina didn’t choke. Just because you have Ovechkin on your team you shouldn’t be a Jack Adams finalist. Stevens should have won this award hands down let alone be in the top three. Beudreau did nothing more than Julien did in Boston and they didn’t take the 1 seed to game seven. Cabonneau is the only name up there that deserves to be.
Posted by Pete from Boston on 05/01/08 at 10:49 AM ET
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I am happy that Mike babcock is being considered for this award.
This is his 5th season as an NHL coach, and he has been hugely successful both in Anaheim and Detroit.
He is a real student of the art and science of coaching. A coach’s coach.
I read his quotes daily, because I can learn a lot.
Posted by w2j2 on 04/30/08 at 09:23 PM ET